This document discusses the various sources of drugs, including natural sources like plants, animals, and microbes. It notes some issues with natural sources like standardization and supply maintenance. Many modern drugs are derived from the isolation of active chemical principles from natural sources, like morphine from poppies. Some are produced recombinantly using biotechnology techniques. Over 90% of current drugs are synthetic and produced in pharmaceutical laboratories, and include classes like antipyretics, antihistamines, and antibiotics. The document provides examples of drugs derived from each source category.

1. B S HUNASAGI,
Asst.Prof
BLDE S S M College of pharmacy

2. 1) NATURAL
a) Plants
Oldest source of drugs used empiricallyOldest source of drugs used empirically
Leaves, seeds, flowers, roots, bark etcLeaves, seeds, flowers, roots, bark etc
Problems:
Identification of plantIdentification of plant
Climatic and social conditions of areaClimatic and social conditions of area
Season of collectionSeason of collection
Condition of storageCondition of storage
cont.

3.  Standardization of active principleStandardization of active principle
 Purity of active ingredientPurity of active ingredient
 Maintenance of supply lineMaintenance of supply line
 Active principle is synthesized after detectionActive principle is synthesized after detection
e.g.e.g. morphine, codeine, digitalis, quinine, atropine,morphine, codeine, digitalis, quinine, atropine,
reserpine and pilocarpinereserpine and pilocarpine

4.  Extract, infusions, decoction, powders etcExtract, infusions, decoction, powders etc
 ChemicalsChemicals (alkaloids, glycosides, oil, resins,(alkaloids, glycosides, oil, resins,
tannins, gums etc.)tannins, gums etc.) isolated from differentisolated from different
forms are used for humans and animals, c/dforms are used for humans and animals, c/d
active principlesactive principles

5.  Modern drugsModern drugs
 Active principles are proteins, oil and fats,Active principles are proteins, oil and fats,
enzymes and hormonesenzymes and hormones
 e.g. gonadotropins, heparin, insulin, thyroide.g. gonadotropins, heparin, insulin, thyroid
extract and enzymesextract and enzymes

6.  Antibiotics derived = fungi and bacteria afterAntibiotics derived = fungi and bacteria after
discovery of penicillin in 1928 and its use indiscovery of penicillin in 1928 and its use in
19401940
 Use for infective diseasesUse for infective diseases
 E.g. penicillin, streptomycin, tetracycline,E.g. penicillin, streptomycin, tetracycline,
chloramphenicol and erythromycinchloramphenicol and erythromycin

7.  Metals, metalloids, non-metal subs. and theirMetals, metalloids, non-metal subs. and their
compoundscompounds
 E.g. iron, calcium, magnesium, aluminium,E.g. iron, calcium, magnesium, aluminium,
sodium, potassium, sulphur, lithium etcsodium, potassium, sulphur, lithium etc

8.  Complex moleculesComplex molecules
 Expensive and for impure natural compoundExpensive and for impure natural compound
 E.g. 6-aminopencillanic acid (fungus), semi-E.g. 6-aminopencillanic acid (fungus), semi-
synthetic human insulin (pork insulin)synthetic human insulin (pork insulin)

9.  Pharmaceutical laboratoryPharmaceutical laboratory
 Organic or inorganic or combination ofOrganic or inorganic or combination of
organic and inorganic compoundsorganic and inorganic compounds
 >90% drugs>90% drugs
 E.g. older drug; chloroform, ether, nitrousE.g. older drug; chloroform, ether, nitrous
oxide, chloral hydrateoxide, chloral hydrate
 Antipyretics, sulphonamides, antihistamines,Antipyretics, sulphonamides, antihistamines,
anticonvulsants, anti anxiety etcanticonvulsants, anti anxiety etc

10.  Human insulin human proinsulin gene cDNAHuman insulin human proinsulin gene cDNA
E.coli treat proinsulin to form insulinE.coli treat proinsulin to form insulin
 Growth hormone, tissue plasminogenGrowth hormone, tissue plasminogen
activator, vaccines, interferon,activator, vaccines, interferon,
erythropoitins, G-colony stimulating factorerythropoitins, G-colony stimulating factor